Insecticidal substituted benzylamino heterocyclic and heteroaryl derivatives

ABSTRACT

Certain substituted benzylamino heterocyclic and heteroaryl derivatives have provided unexpected insecticidal and acaricidal activity. These compounds are represented by formula (I): wherein R, R1, R2, R3, and R4 are fully described herein. In addition, compositions comprising an insecticidally effective amount of at least one compound of formula (I), and optionally, an effective amount of at least one of an additional compound, with at least one insecticidally compatible carrier are also disclosed; along with methods of controlling insects comprising applying said compositions to a locus where insects are present or are expected to be present.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/682,460 filed May 19, 2005.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to pesticidal compounds and their use in controlling insects and acarids. In particular, it pertains to compositions of pesticidal substituted benzylamino heterocyclic and heteroaryl derivatives and agriculturally acceptable salts thereof, and methods for their use in controlling insects and acarids.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that insects in general can cause significant damage, not only to crops grown in agriculture, but also, for example, to structures and turf where the damage is caused by soil-borne insects, such as termites and white grubs. Such damage may result in the loss of millions of dollars of value associated with a given crop, turf or structure. Although there are many orders of insects that can cause significant crop damage, insects, for example, of the order “Homoptera” are of major importance. The order Homoptera includes, for example, aphids, leafhoppers, cicadas, whiteflies, and mealybugs. Homoptera have piercing/sucking mouthparts, enabling them to feed by withdrawing sap from vascular plants. Insect damage from Homoptera is manifested in several different ways, other than damage caused by direct feeding. For example, many species excrete honeydew, a sticky waste product that adheres to plants upon which the insect feeds and lives. Honeydew alone causes cosmetic injury to crop plants. Sooty molds will often grow on honeydew, making food products or ornamental plants look unappealing, thereby reducing their cosmetic and economic value. Some Homoptera have toxic saliva that is injected into plants while they are feeding. The saliva can cause plant damage through disfigurement and in some instances plant death. Homoptera can also vector disease-causing pathogens. Unlike direct damage, it does not take a large number of disease-vectoring insects to cause considerable damage to crop plants.

Thus, there is a continuing demand for new insecticides, and for new acaricides that are safer, more effective, and less costly. Insecticides and acaricides are useful for controlling insects and acarids which may otherwise cause significant damage both above and below the soil level to crops such as wheat, corn, soybeans, potatoes, and cotton to name a few. For crop protection, insecticides and acaricides are desired which can control the insects and acarids without damaging the crops, and which have no deleterious effects to mammals and other living organisms.

A number of articles and patents disclose some substituted benzylamino heterocyclic and heteroaryl compounds that are reported to have pesticidal uses. For example, the Journal of Insect Science, 3:4 (available online: insectscience.org/3.4) reports the effectiveness of some octopamine agonists to suppress the calling behavior of the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella. Included in the studies are compounds of the following structure:

wherein

-   R is alkyl or two halogen atoms.

Pesticide Science, 55:119-128 (1999), describes the quantitative structure-activity studies of octopaminergic ligands against the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria and the American cockroach, Periplaneta Americana. Included in the studies are compounds of the formulae:

in which

-   R for formula (AAT) includes benzyl, and benzyl substituted with     methyl, trifluoromethyl or one to two halogen atoms, and R for     formula (AAO) includes phenyl substituted with trifluoromethyl or     one to two halogen atoms.

Pesticide Science, 1995, 43 311-315 describes the quantitative structure-activity studies of some octopaminergic agonists against Periplaneta Americana. Included in the studies are compounds of the formula:

wherein

-   R is hydrogen, methyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy or one to two     halogen atoms.

Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry (1992), 56(7), 1062-5 describes the synthesis and octopaminergic activity of 2-(substituted benzylamino)-2-thiazolines.

European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry (1980), 15(1), 41-53, describes the synthesis of new “benzyl”-thiourea derivatives and their cyclic analogs with diuretic and saluretic activity.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,195,092 discloses 2-(substituted amino)-N-(3-substituted phenyl)-2-imidazoline-1-carbothioamides, useful as insecticides, of the following formula:

wherein

-   R¹ includes phenylalkyl, containing no more than about 18 carbon     atoms, in which the phenyl moiety is optionally substituted with     from one to three groups selected from C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy,     C₁-C₆ alkylthio, trifluoromethyl, halo, and cyano; -   R², R³, R⁴, and R⁵ independently are selected from hydrogen, C₁-C₃     alkyl, and phenyl; -   R⁶ represents halo, trifluoromethyl, cyano, or     1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy; -   R⁷ represents hydrogen, C₁-C₃ alkyl, or halo.

International Publication Number WO 91/05473 discloses fungicidal compositions, compounds, and their production and use of the following formulae:

wherein

-   R¹ and R⁷ are each independently hydrogen or C₁-C₃ allyl, R² is     hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl, R³ and R⁴ independently, and each R⁵     independently are hydrogen or C₁-C₄ alkyl, R⁶ is a cyclohexyl group     or a monocyclic or bicyclic aromatic group, substituted with from 1     to 5 groups of the formula R⁸, wherein R⁸ is halogen, a C₁-C₁₀ alkyl     group, a C₁-C₁₀ alkoxy group, a tri-C₁-C₄-alkylsilyl group, or a     phenoxy, phenyl, phenyl-C₁-C₂-alkylene, or phenyl-C₂-alkenyene     group, each optionally substituted on the phenyl or phenoxy group     with one or more of halogen atoms, C₁-C₆ alkyl or C₁-C₆ alkoxy     groups, trihalomethyl groups, phenyl groups or phenoxy groups. p is     0, 1, or 2, Y is a group of the formula —C(R⁹R⁹)_(n)—, wherein n is     2, 3, or 4, each R⁹ independently is hydrogen or C₁-C₄ alkyl and X     is a suitable counter-ion, together with an agriculturally     acceptable carrier or diluent.

There is no disclosure or suggestion in any of the above-referenced patents or publications of the insecticidal activity of the compounds of the present invention against members of the order “Homoptera”. In addition, there is no disclosure or suggestion in any of the above-referenced patents or publications of the structures of the novel compounds of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to insecticidal and acaricidal compositions of substituted benzylamino heterocyclic and heteroaryl derivatives and to certain new and useful compounds, namely certain substituted benzylamino heterocyclic and heteroaryl derivatives that are surprisingly active in the control of insects and acarids when used in the insecticidal and acaricidal compositions and methods of this invention. The insecticidal and acaricidal compositions of the present invention are comprised of at least one of an insecticidally effective amount of a compound of formula I and at least one insecticidally compatible carrier therefor, wherein the compound of formula I is:

wherein

-   R, R¹, R² and R⁵ are described in detail below; -   R⁴ is selected from:

-   R³ is described in detail below or is taken together with the     connecting atom in R⁴ to form a double bond as in formula (B),     formula (D) and formula (F); and     agriculturally acceptable salts thereof.

The present invention also includes compositions containing a pesticidally effective amount of at least one compound of formula I, and optionally, an effective amount of at least one additional compound, with at least one pesticidally compatible carrier.

The present invention also includes methods of controlling insects in an area where control is desired, which comprise applying a pesticidally effective amount of the above composition to the locus of crops, buildings, soil or other areas where insects are present or are expected to be present.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to insecticidal and acaricidal compositions of substituted benzylamino heterocyclic and heteroaryl derivatives and to certain new and useful compounds, namely certain substituted benzylamino heterocyclic and heteroaryl derivatives that are surprisingly active in the control of insects and acarids when used in the insecticidal and acaricidal compositions and methods of this invention. The insecticidal and acaricidal compositions of the present invention are comprised of at least one of an insecticidally effective amount of a compound of formula I and at least one insecticidally compatible carrier therefor, wherein the compound of formula I is:

wherein

-   R, R¹, R² and R⁵ are described in detail below; -   R⁴ is selected from:

-   R³ is described in detail below or is taken together with the     connecting atom in R to form a double bond as in formula (B),     formula (D) and formula (F); and     agriculturally acceptable salts thereof.

More specifically, preferred species of this invention are those insecticidal compositions comprised of compounds of formula IA:

wherein

-   R is selected from 1-naphthyl, phenyl or phenyl substituted with one     or two substituents selected from halogen, (C₁-C₂) alkyl, (C₁-C₂)     alkoxy, (C₁-C₂) haloalkyl and phenyl; -   R¹ is selected from hydrogen, (C₁-C₂) alkyl, (C₁-C₂) hydroxyalkyl     and (C₁-C₂) haloalkyl; -   R² is selected from hydrogen and (C₁-C₂) alkyl; and -   R³ is selected from hydrogen, (C₁-C₂) alkyl,

where

X is oxygen or sulfur;

R⁷ and R⁸ are (C₁-C₂) alkoxy;

R¹³ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl;

R¹⁴ is hydrogen;

a is 2;

R¹⁵ is (C₁-C₂) dialkylamino;

R¹⁶ is hydrogen, (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) alkoxy; and

R¹⁹ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) alkoxy;

provided that

-   when R is 1-naphthyl and R³ is hydrogen, then R¹ and R² are other     than (C₁-C₂) alkyl.

More preferred species in this aspect of the invention are those insecticidal compositions comprised of compounds of formula Ia where

-   R is 2,3-dichlororphenyl or 2,3-dimethylphenyl; -   R¹ is hydrogen or methyl; and -   R² and R³ are hydrogen.

In another aspect of this invention, preferred species are those insecticidal compositions comprised of formula IB:

wherein

-   R is 1-naphthyl, phenyl or phenyl substituted with one or two     substituents selected from halogen or (C₁-C₂) alkyl; -   R¹ is selected from hydrogen, (C₁-C₄) alkyl and (C₁-C₂) haloalkyl; -   R² is hydrogen; -   R⁵ is selected from cyano, (C₁-C₂) alkoxy(C₁-C₂) alkyl, 4-(C₁-C₂)     alkoxybenzyl,

where

-   -   X is oxygen or sulfur;     -   R⁷ and R⁸ are (C₁-C₂) alkoxy or (C₁-C₂) haloalkyl;     -   R¹⁰ is hydrogen;     -   R¹¹ is (C₁-C₄) alkyl;     -   R¹³ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl;     -   R¹⁴ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₂) alkyl;     -   a is 2;     -   R¹⁵ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) dialkylamino;     -   R¹⁶ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) alkoxy; and     -   R¹⁹ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) alkoxy;         provided that

-   when R is 1-naphthyl and R⁵ is formula (5) where X is sulfur, R¹³ is     methyl and R¹⁴ is hydrogen, then R¹ is other than (C₁-C₂) alkyl; and

-   when R is 3-chloro-2-methylphenyl and R¹ is hydrogen, then R⁵ is     other than formula (5) where X is oxygen, R¹³ is methyl and R¹⁴ is     hydrogen or formula (6)

where a is 2 and R¹⁵ is methyl.

More preferred species in this aspect of the invention are those insecticidal compositions comprised of compounds of formula IB where

-   R is 2,3-dichlorophenyl, 2,3-dimethylphenyl or     3-chloro-2-methylphenyl; -   R¹ is hydrogen; and -   R⁵ is cyano, formula (1), formula (5) or formula (7).

In another aspect of this invention, preferred species are those insecticidal compositions comprised of formula IC:

where

-   R is selected from 1-naphthyl, 2-(C₁-C₂) alkoxyphenyl, 3-(C₁-C₂)     alkoxyphenyl, 4-(C₁-C₂) alkoxyphenyl, 2,4-(C₁-C₂) dialkoxyphenyl,     phenyl or phenyl substituted with one or two substituents selected     from halogen, (C₁-C₂) alkyl and (C₁-C₂) haloalkyl; -   R¹ is selected from hydrogen, (C₁-C₃) alkyl, phenyl or benzyl; -   R² is hydrogen; and -   R³ is selected from hydrogen, (C₁-C₂) alkyl,

where

-   -   X is oxygen or sulfur;     -   R⁷ and R⁸ are (C₁-C₂) alkoxy;     -   R¹³ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl;     -   R¹⁴ is hydrogen;     -   a is 2;     -   R¹⁵ is (C₁-C₂) dialkylamino;     -   R¹⁶ is hydrogen, (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) alkoxy, and     -   R¹⁹ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) alkoxy;         provided that

-   when R¹ and R³ are hydrogen, then R is other than 2-methylphenyl,     2,4-dimethylphenyl or 2-chloro-6-methylphenyl;

-   when R is phenyl, R¹ and R³ are methyl, then the compound is other     than the ((1S)-1-phenylethyl)methyl-1,3-thiazolin-2-ylamine isomer;

-   when R is phenyl, R¹ is methyl and R³ is hydrogen, then the compound     is other than the ((1R)-1-phenylethyl)-1,3-thiazolin-2-ylamine     isomer; and

-   when R is 2,3-dichlorophenyl and R¹ is hydrogen, then R³ is other     than formula (7) where X is oxygen and R¹⁶ is methoxy.

More preferred species in this aspect of the invention are those insecticidal compositions comprised of compounds of formula Ic where

-   R is 2,3-dichlororphenyl or 2,3-dimethylphenyl; -   R¹ is hydrogen or methyl; and -   R³ is hydrogen or formula (7) where X is oxygen and R¹⁶ is (C₁-C₂)     alkoxy.

In another aspect of this invention, preferred species are those insecticidal compositions comprised of formula ID:

ID

where

-   R is phenyl optionally substituted with one or two substituents     selected from halogen or (C₁-C₂) alkyl; -   R¹ and R² are hydrogen; and -   R⁵ is selected from

where

-   -   X is oxygen or sulfur;     -   R⁷ and R⁸ are (C₁-C₂) alkoxy;     -   R¹³ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl;     -   R¹⁴ is hydrogen;     -   a is 2;     -   R¹⁵ is (C₁-C₂) dialkylamino;     -   R¹⁶ is hydrogen, (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) alkoxy; and     -   R¹⁹ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) alkoxy.

More preferred species in this aspect of the invention are those insecticidal compositions comprised of compounds of formula ID where

-   R is 2,3-dichlororphenyl, 2,3-dimethylphenyl; -   R⁵ is formula (I) where X is sulfur or formula (7) where X is oxygen     and R¹⁶ is (C₁-C₂) alkoxy.

In another aspect of this invention, preferred species are those insecticidal compositions comprised of formula IE:

where

-   R is selected from 1-naphthyl, phenyl or phenyl substituted with one     or two substituents selected from halogen, (C₁-C₂) alkyl and (C₁-C₂)     haloalkyl; -   R¹ is selected from hydrogen, (C₁-C₃) alkyl, phenyl or benzyl; -   R² is hydrogen; and -   R³ is selected from hydrogen, (C₁-C₂) alkyl,

where

-   -   X is oxygen or sulfur;     -   R⁷ and R⁸ are (C₁-C₂) alkoxy-,     -   R¹³ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl;     -   R¹⁴ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₂) alkyl;     -   a is 2;     -   R¹⁵ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) dialkylamino;     -   R¹⁶ is hydrogen, (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) alkoxy; and     -   R¹⁹ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) alkoxy.

In another aspect of this invention, preferred species are those insecticidal compositions comprised of formula IF:

where

-   R is phenyl optionally substituted with one or two substituents     selected from halogen or (C₁-C₂) alkyl; -   R¹ and R² are hydrogen; and -   R⁵ is selected from cyano,

where

-   -   X is oxygen or sulfur;     -   R⁷ and R⁸ are (C₁-C₂) alkoxy;     -   R¹³ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl;     -   R¹⁴ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₂) alkyl;     -   a is 2;     -   R¹⁵ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) dialkylamino;     -   R¹⁶ is hydrogen, (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) alkoxy, and     -   R¹⁹ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) alkoxy.

Certain of the substituted benzylamino heterocyclic and heteroaryl derivatives, useful in the compositions of the present invention, are novel compounds. Many of these compounds are represented by formula IG:

wherein

-   R is selected from 1-naphthyl, phenyl or phenyl substituted with one     or two substituents selected from halogen, (C₁-C₂) alkyl, (C₁-C₂)     alkoxy, (C₁-C₂) haloalkyl and phenyl; -   R¹ is selected from hydrogen, (C₁-C₂) alkyl, (C₁-C₂) hydroxyalkyl     and (C₁-C₂) haloalkyl; -   R² is selected from hydrogen and (C₁-C₂) alkyl; and -   R³ is selected from hydrogen, (C₁-C₂) alkyl,

where

-   -   X is oxygen or sulfur;     -   R⁷ and R⁸ are (C₁-C₂) alkoxy;     -   R¹³ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl;     -   R¹⁴ is hydrogen;     -   a is 2;     -   R¹⁵ is (C₁-C₂) dialkylamino;     -   R¹⁶ is hydrogen, (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) alkoxy; and     -   R¹⁹ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) alkoxy; and agriculturally         acceptable salts thereof;         provided that

-   when R¹ is methyl and R² and R³ are hydrogen, then R is other than     phenyl;

-   when R is 1-naphthyl and R³ is hydrogen, then R¹ and R² are other     than (C₁-C₂) alkyl; and

-   when R¹, R² and R³ are hydrogen, then R is other than     2-chlorophenyl, 2-fluorophenyl, 2-methylphenyl, 4-chlorophenyl,     3-trifluoromethylphenyl, 3,4-dichlorophenyl and 3,5-dichlorophenyl.

Other substituted benzylamino heterocyclic and heteroaryl derivatives, useful in the compositions of the present invention, are novel compounds. These compounds are represented by formula IH:

wherein

-   R is 1-naphthyl, phenyl or phenyl substituted with one or two     substituents selected from halogen or (C₁-C₂) alkyl; -   R¹ is selected from hydrogen, (C₁-C₄) alkyl and (C₁-C₂) haloalkyl; -   R² is hydrogen; -   R⁵ is selected from cyano, (C₁-C₂) alkoxy(C₁-C₂) alkyl, 4-(C₁-C₂)     alkoxybenzyl,

where

-   -   X is oxygen or sulfur;     -   R⁷ and R⁸ are (C₁-C₂) alkoxy or (C₁-C₂) haloalkyl;     -   R¹⁰ is hydrogen;     -   R¹¹ is (C₁-C₄) alkyl;     -   R¹³ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl;     -   R¹⁴ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₂) alkyl;     -   a is 2;     -   R¹⁵ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) dialkylamino;     -   R¹⁶ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) alkoxy;     -   R¹⁹ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) alkoxy; and         agriculturally acceptable salts thereof;         provided that

-   when R is 1-naphthyl and R⁵ is formula (5) where X is sulfur, R¹³ is     methyl and R¹⁴ is hydrogen, then R¹ is other than (C₁-C₄) alkyl; and

-   when R is 3-chloro-2-methylphenyl and R¹ is hydrogen, then R⁵ is     other than formula (5) where X is oxygen, R¹³ is methyl and R¹⁴ is     hydrogen or formula (6) where R¹⁵ is methyl.

Still other substituted benzylamino heterocyclic and heteroaryl derivatives, useful in the compositions of the present invention, are novel compounds. These compounds are represented by formula IJ:

where

-   R is selected from 1-naphthyl, 2-(C₁-C₂) alkoxyphenyl, 3-(C₁-C₂)     alkoxyphenyl, 4-(C₁-C₂) alkoxyphenyl, 2,4-(C₁-C₂) dialkoxyphenyl,     phenyl or phenyl substituted with one or two substituents selected     from halogen, (C₁-C₂) alkyl and (C₁-C₂) haloalkyl; -   R¹ is selected from hydrogen, (C₁-C₃) alkyl, phenyl or benzyl; -   R² is hydrogen; and -   R³ is selected from hydrogen, (C₁-C₂) alkyl,

-   -   where     -   X is oxygen or sulfur;     -   R⁷ and R⁸ are (C₁-C₂) alkoxy;     -   R¹³ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl;     -   R¹⁴ is hydrogen;     -   a is 2;     -   R¹⁵ is (C₁-C₂) dialkylamino;     -   R¹⁶ is hydrogen, (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) alkoxy,     -   R¹⁹ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) alkoxy; and         agriculturally acceptable salts thereof;         provided that

-   when R is other than 2,3-dimethylphenyl, then at least one of R¹ or     R³ is other than hydrogen;

-   when R is phenyl, R¹ and R³ are methyl, then the compound is other     than the ((1S)-1-phenylethyl)methyl-1,3-thiazolin-2-ylamine isomer;

-   when R is phenyl, R¹ is methyl R³ is hydrogen, then the compound is     other than the ((1R)-1-phenylethyl)-1,3-thiazolin-2-ylamine isomer;     and

-   when R is 2,3-dichlorophenyl and R¹ is hydrogen, then R³ is other     than formula (7) where X is oxygen and R¹⁶ is methoxy.

Other substituted benzylamino heterocyclic and heteroaryl derivatives, useful in the compositions of the present invention, are novel compounds. These compounds are represented by formula IK:

where

-   R is phenyl optionally substituted with one or two substituents     selected from halogen or (C₁-C₂) alkyl; -   R¹ and R² are hydrogen; and -   R⁵ is selected from

where

-   -   X is oxygen or sulfur;     -   R⁷ and R⁸ are (C₁-C₂) alkoxy;     -   R¹³ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl;     -   R¹⁴ is hydrogen;     -   a is 2;     -   R¹⁵ is (C₁-C₂) dialkylamino;     -   R¹⁶ is hydrogen, (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) alkoxy;     -   R¹⁹ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) alkoxy; and         agriculturally acceptable salts thereof.

Still other substituted benzylamino heterocyclic and heteroaryl derivatives, useful in the compositions of the present invention, are novel compounds. These compounds are represented by formula IL:

where

-   R is selected from 1-naphthyl, phenyl or phenyl substituted with one     or two substituents selected from halogen, (C₁-C₂) alkyl and (C₁-C₂)     haloalkyl; -   R¹ is selected from hydrogen, (C₁-C₃) alkyl, phenyl or benzyl; -   R² is hydrogen; and -   R³ is selected from hydrogen, (C₁-C₂) alkyl,

where

-   -   X is oxygen or sulfur;     -   R⁷ and R⁸ are (C₁-C₂) alkoxy;     -   R¹³ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl;     -   R¹⁴ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₂) alkyl;     -   a is 2;     -   R¹⁵ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) dialkylamino;     -   R¹⁶ is hydrogen, (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) alkoxy; and

-   R¹⁹ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) alkoxy; and     agriculturally acceptable salts thereof.

Other substituted benzylamino heterocyclic and heteroaryl derivatives, useful in the compositions of the present invention, are novel compounds. These compounds are represented by formula IM:

where

-   R is phenyl optionally substituted with one or two substituents     selected from halogen or (C₁-C₂) alkyl; -   R¹ and R² are hydrogen; and -   R⁵ is selected from cyano,

where

-   -   X is oxygen or sulfur;     -   R⁷ and R⁸ are (C₁-C₂) alkoxy,     -   R¹³ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl;     -   R¹⁴ is hydrogen or (C₁-C₂) alkyl;     -   a is 2;     -   R¹⁵ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) dialkylamino;     -   R¹⁶ is hydrogen, (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) alkoxy and

-   R¹⁹ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) alkoxy, and     agriculturally acceptable salts thereof.

In addition, in certain cases the compounds of the present invention may possess asymmetric centers, which can give rise to optical enantiomorphs and diastereomers. The compounds may exist in two or more forms, i.e., polymorphs, which are significantly different in physical and chemical properties.

The compounds of the present invention may exist as tautomers, in which migration of a hydrogen atom within the molecule results in two or more structures, which are in equilibrium. For example, compounds of formula I wherein R⁴ is selected from (A) and (B), (C) and (D) or (E) and (F) may exist in tautomeric forms as shown in formulae below. Such tautomerism is well known as is described in S. Patai (The Chemistry of Functional Groups: Amidines and Imidates, Vol 2, 1991, pages 259-262). It will be understood that all such tautomeric forms are embraced by the present invention.

This invention includes the use of such enantiomorphs, polymorphs, tautomers, salts and metal complexes. Agriculturally acceptable salts and metal complexes include, without limitation, for example, ammonium salts, the salts of organic and inorganic acids, such as hydrochloric acid, sulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, methylbenzenesulfonic acid, phosphoric acid, gluconic acid, pamoic acid, and other acid salts, and the alkali metal and alkaline earth metal complexes with, for example, sodium, potassium, lithium, magnesium, calcium, and other metals.

The methods of the present invention are predicated on causing an insecticidally effective amount of a compound of formula I to be present within insects in order to kill or control the insects. Preferred insecticidally effective amounts are those that are sufficient to kill the insect. It is within the scope of the present invention to cause a compound of formula I to be present within insects by contacting the insects with a derivative of that compound, which derivative is converted within the insect to a compound of formula I. This invention includes the use of such compounds, which can be referred to as pro-insecticides.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to compositions containing an insecticidally effective amount of at least one compound of formula I with at least one insecticidally compatible carrier therefor.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to compositions containing an insecticidally effective amount of at least one compound of formula I, and an effective amount of at least one additional compound, with at least one insecticidally compatible carrier therefor.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to methods of controlling insects by applying an insecticidally effective amount of a composition set forth above to a locus of crops such as, without limitation, cereals, cotton, vegetables, and fruits, or other areas where insects are present or are expected to be present.

The present invention also includes the use of the compounds and compositions set forth herein for control of non-agricultural insect species, for example, dry wood termites and subterranean termites; as well as for use as pharmaceutical agents and compositions thereof. In the field of veterinary medicine, the compounds of the present invention are expected to be effective against certain endo- and ecto-parasites, such as insects and worms, which prey on animals. Examples of such animal parasites include, without limitation, Gastrophilus spp., Stomoxys spp., Trichodectes spp., Rhodnius spp., Ctenocephalides canis, and other species.

As used in this specification and unless otherwise indicated the substituent terms “alkyl” and “alkoxy”, used alone or as part of a larger moiety, includes straight or branched chains of at least one or two carbon atoms, as appropriate to the substituent; and preferably up to 12 carbon atoms, more preferably up to ten carbon atoms, most preferably up to seven carbon atoms. The term “alkenyl” and “alkynyl” used alone or as part of a larger moiety, includes straight or branched chains of at least two carbon atoms containing at least one carbon-carbon double bond or triple bond, and preferably up to 12 carbon atoms, more preferably up to ten carbon atoms, most preferably up to seven carbon atoms. The term “heterocyclic” refers to a non-aromatic ring structure of four to eight atoms consisting of carbon and nitrogen, and may include oxygen or sulfur. Five member rings include, without limitation, for example, oxazolidine and thiazoline. Six member rings include, without limitation, for example, piperazine, piperidine, morpholine and thiomorpholine. The term “aryl” refers to an aromatic ring structure, including fused rings, having four to ten carbon atoms, for example, phenyl or naphthyl and 5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthyl. The term “heteroaryl” refers to an aromatic ring structure, including fused rings, in which at least one of the atoms is other than carbon, for example, without limitation, sulfur, oxygen, or nitrogen. The term “brine” refers to an aqueous saturated sodium chloride solution. The term “TEA” refers to triethylamine. The term “THF” refers to tetrahydrofuran. The term “halogen” or “halo” refers to fluorine, bromine, iodine, or chlorine. The term “ambient temperature”, for example, in reference to a chemical reaction mixture temperature refers to a temperature in the range of 20° C. to 30° C. The term “insecticidal” or “acaricidal”, “insecticide” or “acaricide” refers to a compound of the present invention, either alone or in admixture with at least one of a second compound, or with at least one compatible carrier, which causes the destruction or the inhibition of action of insects or acarids.

The compounds of the present invention were prepared by methods generally known to those skilled in the art. A number of the compounds of the present invention were prepared in the manner shown in Scheme 1.

As depicted in Scheme 1, the reaction of an appropriately substituted benzylamine (SM1) and 2-chloroethyl isocyanate (SM2) yielded the appropriately substituted benzyl 1,3-oxazolinyl amine, for example, ((2,3-dimethylphenyl)methyl)-1,3-oxazolin-2-ylamine, a compound of formula IA described in detail in Example 1 set forth below.

Scheme 2 provides a general method for the preparation of compounds of formula I in which the R⁵ substituent is other than hydrogen.

As depicted in Scheme 2, the reaction of an appropriately substituted benzyl 1,3-oxazolinyl amine (a compound of formula IA) with acetic anhydride (SM3) under basic conditions, in an appropriate solvent yielded the corresponding 3-acetyl-2-substituted methylamino-1,3-oxazolidine, for example, 3-acetyl-(1-aza-2-(2,3-dimethylphenyl)ethylidene)-1,3-oxazolidine, a compound of formula IB described in detail in Example 2 set forth below.

Scheme 3 provides method for the preparation of compounds of formula IC.

As depicted in Scheme 3, the reaction of a substituted benzylamine (SM4) and 2-chloroethyl isothiocyanate (SM5) yielded the appropriately substituted benzyl 1,3-thiazolinyl amine hydrochloride, for example, ((2,3-dichlorophenyl)methyl)-1,3-thiazolin-2-ylamine hydrochloride, a compound of formula IC described in detail in Example 3, Step A set forth below. Treatment of the hydrochloride of a compound of formula IC with a base in an appropriate solvent produced the corresponding substituted benzyl 1,3-thiazolinyl amine, for example ((2,3-dichlorophenyl)methyl)-1,3-thiazolin-2-ylamine, a compound of formula IC described in detail in Example 3, Step B set forth below.

Scheme 4 provides method for the preparation of compounds of formula IC and formula ID.

As depicted in Scheme 4, the reaction of a disubstituted benzylamine, for example, 2,3-dimethylbenzylamine, and 2-chloroethyl isothiocyanate (SM5) yielded the appropriately substituted benzyl 1,3-thiazolinyl amine hydrochloride, for example, ((2,3-dimethylphenyl)methyl)-1,3-thiazolin-2-ylamine hydrochloride, a compound of formula IC described in detail in Example 4, Step A set forth below. Treatment of the hydrochloride of a compound of formula IC with a base in an appropriate solvent produced the corresponding substituted benzyl 1,3-thiazolinyl amine, for example ((2,3-dimethylphenyl)methyl)-1,3-thiazolin-2-ylamine, a compound of formula IC described in detail in Example 4, Step B set forth below. The reaction of the substituted benzyl 1,3-thiazolinyl amine with, for example, methyl chloroformate, under basic conditions yielded two compounds. The first, a compound of formula IC where the R³ substituent is other than hydrogen, for example, methyl 2-(1-aza-2-(2,3-dimethylphenyl)ethylidene)-1,3-thiazolidine-3-carboxylate, and the second, a compound of formula ID where the R5 substituent is other than hydrogen, for example, N-((2,3-dimethylphenyl)methyl)methoxy-N-(1,3-thiazolin-2-yl)carboxamide, both described in detail in Example 4, Step C set forth below.

Scheme 5 provides a general method for the preparation of compounds of formula I where the R¹ substituent is other than hydrogen.

As depicted in Scheme 5, the reaction of an appropriately substituted isomer of a phenylethylamine (SM7), for example, (S)-(−)-phenylethylamine, and 2-chloroethyl isocyanate (SM2) yielded the appropriately substituted phenylethyl 1,3-oxazolinyl amine, for example, ((S)-1-phenylethyl)-1,3-oxazolin-2-ylamine, a compound of formula IA described in detail in Example 5 set forth below.

One skilled in the art will, of course, recognize that the formulation and mode of application of a toxicant may affect the activity of the material in a given application. Thus, for agricultural use the present insecticidal compounds may be formulated as granules of relatively large particle size (for example, 8/16 or 4/8 US Mesh), as water-soluble or water-dispersible granules, as powdery dusts, as wettable powders, as emulsifiable concentrates, as aqueous emulsions, as solutions, or as any of other known types of agriculturally-useful formulations, depending on the desired mode of application. It is to be understood that the amounts specified in this specification are intended to be approximate only, as if the word “about” were placed in front of the amounts specified.

These insecticidal compositions may be applied either as water-diluted sprays, or dusts, or granules to the areas in which suppression of insects is desired. These formulations may contain as little as 0.1%, 0.2% or 0.5% to as much as 95% or more by weight of active ingredient.

Dusts are free flowing admixtures of the active ingredient with finely divided solids such as talc, natural clays, kieselguhr, flours such as walnut shell and cottonseed flours, and other organic and inorganic solids which act as dispersants and carriers for the toxicant; these finely divided solids have an average particle size of less than about 50 microns. A typical dust formulation useful herein is one containing 1.0 part or less of the insecticidal compound and 99.0 parts of talc.

Wettable powders, also useful formulations for insecticides, are in the form of finely divided particles that disperse readily in water or other dispersant. The wettable powder is ultimately applied to the locus where insect control is needed either as a dry dust or as an emulsion in water or other liquid. Typical carriers for wettable powders include Fuller's earth, kaolin clays, silicas, and other highly absorbent, readily wet inorganic diluents. Wettable powders normally are prepared to contain about 5-80% of active ingredient, depending on the absorbency of the carrier, and usually also contain a small amount of a wetting, dispersing or emulsifying agent to facilitate dispersion. For example, a useful wettable powder formulation contains 80.0 parts of the insecticidal compound, 17.9 parts of Palmetto clay, and 1.0 part of sodium lignosulfonate and 0.3 part of sulfonated aliphatic polyester as wetting agents. Additional wetting agent and/or oil will frequently be added to a tank mix to facilitate dispersion on the foliage of the plant.

Other useful formulations for insecticidal applications are emulsifiable concentrates (ECs) which are homogeneous liquid compositions dispersible in water or other dispersant, and may consist entirely of the insecticidal compound and a liquid or solid emulsifying agent, or may also contain a liquid carrier, such as xylene, heavy aromatic naphthas, isphorone, or other non-volatile organic solvents. For insecticidal application these concentrates are dispersed in water or other liquid carrier and normally applied as a spray to the area to be treated. The percentage by weight of the essential active ingredient may vary according to the manner in which the composition is to be applied, but in general comprises 0.5 to 95% of active ingredient by weight of the insecticidal composition.

Flowable formulations are similar to ECs, except that the active ingredient is suspended in a liquid carrier, generally water. Flowables, like ECs, may include a small amount of a surfactant, and will typically contain active ingredients in the range of 0.5 to 95%, frequently from 10 to 50%, by weight of the composition. For application, flowables may be diluted in water or other liquid vehicle, and are normally applied as a spray to the area to be treated.

Typical wetting, dispersing or emulsifying agents used in agricultural formulations include, but are not limited to, the alkyl and alkylaryl sulfonates and sulfates and their sodium salts; alkylaryl polyether alcohols; sulfated higher alcohols; polyethylene oxides; sulfonated animal and vegetable oils; sulfonated petroleum oils; fatty acid esters of polyhydric alcohols and the ethylene oxide addition products of such esters; and the addition product of long-chain mercaptans and ethylene oxide. Many other types of useful surface-active agents are available in commerce. Surface-active agents, when used, normally comprise 1 to 15% by weight of the composition.

Other useful formulations include suspensions of the active ingredient in a relatively non-volatile solvent such as water, corn oil, kerosene, propylene glycol, or other suitable solvents.

Still other useful formulations for insecticidal applications include simple solutions of the active ingredient in a solvent in which it is completely soluble at the desired concentration, such as acetone, alkylated naphthalenes, xylene, or other organic solvents. Granular formulations, wherein the toxicant is carried on relative coarse particles, are of particular utility for aerial distribution or for penetration of cover crop canopy. Pressurized sprays, typically aerosols wherein the active ingredient is dispersed in finely divided form as a result of vaporization of a low-boiling dispersant solvent carrier may also be used. Water-soluble or water-dispersible granules are free flowing, non-dusty, and readily water-soluble or water-miscible. In use by the farmer on the field, the granular formulations, emulsifiable concentrates, flowable concentrates, aqueous emulsions, solutions, etc., may be diluted with water to give a concentration of active ingredient in the range of say 0.1% or 0.2% to 1.5% or 2%.

The active insecticidal and acaricidal compounds of this invention may be formulated and/or applied with at least one additional compound. Such combinations may provide certain advantages, such as, without limitation, exhibiting synergistic effects for greater control of insect pests, reducing rates of application of insecticide thereby minimizing any impact to the environment and to worker safety, controlling a broader spectrum of insect pests, safening of crop plants to phytotoxicity, and improving tolerance by non-pest species, such as mammals and fish.

Additional compounds include, without limitation, other pesticides, plant growth regulators, fertilizers, soil conditioners, or other agricultural chemicals. In applying an active compound of this invention, whether formulated alone or with other agricultural chemicals, an effective amount and concentration of the active compound is of course employed; the amount may vary in the range of, e.g. about 0.001 to about 3 kg/ha, preferably about 0.03 to about 1 kg/ha. For field use, where there are losses of insecticide, higher application rates (e.g., four times the rates mentioned above) may be employed.

When the active insecticidal compounds of the present invention are used in combination with at least one additional compound, e.g., with other pesticides such as herbicides, the herbicides include, without limitation, for example: N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine such as glyphosate; aryloxyalkanoic acids such as 2,4D, MCPA, and MCPP; ureas such as isoproturon; imidazolinones such as imazapyr, imazethapyr, and imazaquin; diphenyl ethers such as acifluorfen, bifenox, and fomasafen; hydroxybenzonitriles such as ioxynil and bromoxynil; sulfonylureas such as chlorimuron, achlorsulfuron, bensulfuron, pyrazosulfuron, thifensulfuron, and triasulfuron; 2-(4-aryloxyphenoxy)alkanoic acids such as fenoxaprop, fluazifop, quizalofop, and diclofop; benzothiadiazinones such as bentazone; 2-chloroacetanilides such as butachlor, metolachlor, acetochlor, and dimethenamide; arenecarboxylic acids such as dicamba; pyridyloxyacetic acids such as fluoroxypyr; aryl triazolinones such as sulfentrazone and carfentrazone-ethyl; isoxazolidinones such as clomazone; and other herbicides.

When the active insecticidal compounds of the present invention are used in combination with at least one additional compound, e.g., with other pesticides such as other insecticides, the other insecticides include, for example: organophosphate insecticides, such as chlorpyrifos, diazinon, dimethoate, malathion, parathion-methyl, and terbufos; pyrethroid insecticides, such as fenvalerate, deltamethrin, fenpropathrin, cyfluthrin, flucythrinate, alpha-cypermethrin, beta-cypermethrin, zeta-cypermethrin bifenthrin, cypermethrin, resolved cyhalothrin, etofenprox, esfenvalerate, tralomehtrin, tefluthrin, cycloprothrin, betacyfluthrin, and acrinathrin; carbamate insecticides, such as aldecarb, carbaryl, carbofuran, and methomyl; organochlorine insecticides, such as endosulfan, endrin, heptachlor, and lindane; benzoylurea insecticides, such as diflubenuron, triflumuron, teflubenzuron, chlorfluazuron, flucycloxuron, hexaflumuron, flufenoxuron, and lufenuron; and other insecticides, such as amitraz, clofentezine, fenpyroximate, hexythiazox, spinosad, and imidacloprid.

When the active insecticidal compounds of the present invention are used in combination with at least one additional compound, e.g., with other pesticides such as fungicides, the fungicides include, for example: benzimidazole fungicides, such as benomyl, carbendazim, thiabendazole, and thiophanate-methyl; 1,2,4-triazole fungicides, such as epoxyconazole, cyproconazole, flusilazole, flutriafol, propiconazole, tebuconazole, triadimefon, and triadimenol; substituted anilide fungicides, such as metalaxyl, oxadixyl, procymidone, and vinclozolin; organophosphorus fungicides, such as fosetyl, iprobenfos, pyrazophos, edifenphos, and tolclofos-methyl; morpholine fungicides, such as fenpropimorph, tridemorph, and dodemorph; other systemic fungicides, such as fenarimol, imazalil, prochloraz, tricyclazole, and triforine; dithiocarbamate fungicides, such as mancozeb, maneb, propineb, zineb, and ziram; non-systemic fungicides, such as chlorothalonil, dichlofluanid, dithianon, and iprodione, captan, dinocap, dodine, fluazinam, gluazatine, PCNB, pencycuron, quintozene, tricylamide, and validamycin; inorganic fungicides, such as copper and sulphur products, and other fungicides.

When the active insecticidal compounds of the present invention are used in combination with at least one additional compound, e.g., with other pesticides such as nematicides, the nematicides include, for example: carbofuran, carbosulfan, terbufos, aldecarb, ethoprop, fenamphos, oxamyl, isazofos, cadusafos, and other nematicides.

When the active insecticidal compounds of the present invention are used in combination with at least one additional compound, e.g., with other materials such as plant growth regulators, the plant growth regulators include, for example: maleic hydrazide, chlormequat, ethephon, gibberellin, mepiquat, thidiazon, inabenfide, triaphenthenol, paclobutrazol, unaconazol, DCPA, prohexadione, trinexapac-ethyl, and other plant growth regulators.

Soil conditioners are materials which, when added to the soil, promote a variety of benefits for the efficacious growth of plants. Soil conditioners are used to reduce soil compaction, promote and increase effectiveness of drainage, improve soil permeability, promote optimum plant nutrient content in the soil, and promote better pesticide and fertilizer incorporation. When the active insecticidal compounds of the present invention are used in combination with at least one additional compound, e.g., with other materials such as soil conditioners, the soil conditioners include organic matter, such as humus, which promotes retention of cation plant nutrients in the soil; mixtures of cation nutrients, such as calcium, magnesium, potash, sodium, and hydrogen complexes; or microorganism compositions which promote conditions in the soil favorable to plant growth. Such microorganism compositions include, for example, bacillus, pseudomonas, azotobacter, azospirillum, rhizobium, and soil-borne cyanobacteria.

Fertilizers are plant food supplements, which commonly contain nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. When the active insecticidal compounds of the present invention are used in combination with at least one additional compound, e.g., with other materials such as fertilizers, the fertilizers include nitrogen fertilizers, such as ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate, and bone meal; phosphate fertilizers, such as superphosphate, triple superphosphate, ammonium sulfate, and diammonium sulfate; and potassium fertilizers, such as muriate of potash, potassium sulfate, and potassium nitrate, and other fertilizers.

The following examples further illustrate the present invention, but, of course, should not be construed as in any way limiting its scope. The examples are organized to present protocols for the synthesis of the compounds of formula I of the present invention, set forth a list of such synthesized species, and set forth certain biological data indicating the efficacy of such compounds.

The compounds of formula I can be synthesized by methods that are individually known to one skilled in the art from intermediate compounds readily available in commerce.

Example 1 This example illustrates one protocol for the preparation of ((2,3-dimethylphenyl)methyl)-1,3-oxazolin-2-ylamine (Compound A25)

A mixture of 1.0 gram (0.0074 mole) of 2,3-dimethylbenzylamine and 0.69 gram (0.0081 mole) of 2-chloroethylisocyanate in 10 mL of 1,4-dioxane was heated to reflux where it stirred for about 18 hours. The reaction mixture was allowed to cool and an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide (4.0 mL of a 3.0 molar solution) was added. The reaction mixture was heated to reflux for about 18 hours then allowed to cool to ambient temperature. The reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure to leave a viscous oil residue. The residue was suspended in 50 mL of ethyl acetate and washed with 20 mL of water. The organic phase was extracted with 20 mL of 3.0 molar aqueous hydrochloric acid. The aqueous extract was made basic by adding 3.0 molar aqueous sodium hydroxide and the basic mixture was extracted with 50 mL of ethyl acetate. The extract was dried with sodium sulfate, filtered and the filtrate concentrated under reduced pressure to yield 0.81 gram of the title compound as an oil. The NMR spectrum was consistent with the proposed structure.

Example 2 This example illustrates one protocol for the preparation of 3-acetyl-(1-aza-2-(2,3-dimethylphenyl)ethylidene)-1,3-oxazolidine (Compound B2)

Acetic anhydride (1.0 gram, 0.002 mole) was added to a stirred, cold (5° C.) mixture of 0.2 gram (0.002 mole) of ((2,3-dimethylphenyl)methyl)-1,3-oxazolin-2-ylamine (Compound A25), 0.1 gram (0.0008 mole) of magnesium sulfate and 0.4 gram (0.006 mole) of potassium carbonate in 10 mL of diethyl ether. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to ambient temperature where it stirred for two hours. The reaction mixture was filtered, the filter cake was rinsed with diethyl ether, and the combined filtrates were concentrated under reduced pressure to leave a residue. The residue was stirred with a mixture of 1 mL of diethyl ether and 4 mL of hexanes. A precipitate formed and was collected by filtration, rinsed with hexanes and dried under reduced pressure to yield 0.16 gram of the title compound. The NMR spectrum was consistent with the proposed structure.

Example 3 This example illustrates one protocol for the preparation of ((2,3-dichlorophenyl)methyl)-1,3-thiazolin-2-ylamine hydrochloride (Compound C7) and ((2,3-dichlorophenyl)methyl)-1,3-thiazolin-2-ylamine (Compound C9) Step A Synthesis of ((2,3-dichlorophenyl)methyl)-1,3-thiazolin-2-ylamine hydrochloride (Compound C7)

A mixture of 0.5 gram (0.0028 mole) of 2,3-dichlorobenzylamine and 0.27 gram (0.0081 mole) of 2-chloroethylisothiocyanate in 10 mL of 1,4-dioxane was placed in a sealed reaction vial. The reaction mixture was heated to 80° C. where it stirred for about 18 hours. The reaction mixture was allowed to cool and a solid precipitate that had formed was collected by filtration. The solid was rinsed with diethyl ether and was dried under reduced pressure to yield 0.68 gram of the title compound. The NMR spectrum was consistent with the proposed structure.

Step B Synthesis of ((2,3-dichlorophenyl)methyl)-1,3-thiazolin-2-ylamine (Compound C9)

A mixture of 0.36 gram (0.0012 mole) of ((2,3-dichlorophenyl)methyl)-1,3-thiazolin-2-ylamine hydrochloride (Compound C7) in one mL of water was added to a stirred, cold (ice water bath) mixture of 0.05 gram (0.0013 mole) of sodium hydroxide in 10 mL of water and 10 mL of diethyl ether. The reaction mixture was stirred for 10 minutes, poured into a separatory funnel and was extracted with two 50 mL portions of diethyl ether. The extracts were combined, dried with sodium sulfite and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to yield 0.31 gram of the title compound as a white solid. The NMR spectrum was consistent with the proposed structure.

Example 4 This example illustrates one protocol for the preparation of ((2,3-dimethylphenyl)methyl)-1,3-thiazolin-2-ylamine hydrochloride (Compound C11), ((2,3-dimethylphenyl)methyl)-1,3-thiazolin-2-ylamine (Compound C66), methyl 2-(1-aza-2-(2,3-dimethylphenyl)ethylidene)-1,3-thiazolidine-3-carboxylate (Compound C53) and N-((2,3-dimethylphenyl)methyl)methoxy-N-(1,3-thiazolin-2-yl)carboxamide (Compound D5) Step A Synthesis of ((2,3-dimethylphenyl)methyl)-1,3-thiazolin-2-ylamine hydrochloride (Compound C11)

Under a dry nitrogen atmosphere, a stirred mixture of 5.56 grams (0.041 mole) of 2,3-dimethylbenzylamine and 5.0 grams (0.041 mole) of 2-chloroethylisothiocyanate in 100 mL of 1,4-dioxane was heated to 80° C. where it stirred for about 18 hours. The reaction mixture was allowed to cool and a solid precipitate that had formed was collected by filtration. The solid was rinsed with diethyl ether and was dried under reduced pressure to yield 8.0 grams of the title compound. The NMR spectrum was consistent with the proposed structure.

Step B Synthesis of ((2,3-dimethylphenyl)methyl)-1,3-thiazolin-2-ylamine (Compound C66)

A mixture of 1.4 grams (0.034 mole) of sodium hydroxide in 100 mL of water was added to a stirred, cold (ice water bath) mixture of 8.0 grams (0.031 mole) of ((2,3-dimethylphenyl)methyl)-1,3-thiazolin-2-ylamine hydrochloride (Compound C11) in 100 mL of diethyl ether. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm to ambient temperature where it stirred for two hours. The reaction mixture was poured into a separatory funnel and the organic phase was removed and saved. The aqueous phase was extracted with 100 mL of diethyl ether. The organic extract was combined with the saved organic phase, dried with sodium sulfite and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to yield 6.8 grams of the title compound as a white solid, melting point 110-114° C. The NMR spectrum was consistent with the proposed structure.

Step C Synthesis of methyl 2-(1-aza-2-(2,3-dimethylphenyl)ethylidene)-1,3-thiazolidine-3-carboxylate (Compound C53) and N-((2,3-dimethylphenyl)methyl)methoxy-N-(1,3-thiazolin-2-yl)carboxamide (Compound D5)

Under a dry nitrogen atmosphere, a solution of 0.25 gram (0.0011 mole) of ((2,3-dimethylphenyl)methyl)-1,3-thiazolin-2-ylamine dissolved in 10 mL of THF was added to a stirred suspension of 0.08 gram (0.0012 mole) of sodium hydride (60% suspension in oil). The mixture was stirred for 30 minutes, at which time a solution of 0.11 mL (0.0014 mole) of methyl chloroformate in 5 mL of THF was added slowly. The reaction mixture stirred at ambient temperature for about 18 hours. The reaction mixture was heated to 60° C. where it stirred for one hour. The reaction mixture was diluted with 25 mL of brine, then extracted with two 25 mL portions of ethyl acetate. The extracts were combined, washed with 25 mL of water, dried with sodium sulfate and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to leave a solid residue. Analysis of the residue by TLC indicated that two compounds were present. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, eluting with hexanes:methylene chloride (1:1). The appropriate fractions were combined and concentrated under reduced pressure to yield 0.05 gram of methyl 2-(1-aza-2-(2,3-dimethylphenyl)ethylidene)-1,3-thiazolidine-3-carboxylate (Compound C53) and 0.14 gram of N-((2,3-dimethylphenyl)methyl)methoxy-N-(1,3-thiazolin-2-yl)carboxamide (Compound D5). The NMR spectra were consistent with the proposed structures.

Example 5 This example illustrates one protocol for the preparation of ((1S)-1-phenylethyl)-1,3-oxazolin-2-ylamine (Compound A58)

A mixture of 0.5 gram (0.0041 mole) of (S)-(−)-phenylethylamine and 0.44 gram (0.0042 mole) of 2-chloroethylisocyanate in 10 mL of 1,4-dioxane was heated to reflux where it stirred for about 18 hours. The reaction mixture was allowed to cool and an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide (1.0 mL of a 3.0 molar solution) was added. The reaction mixture was heated to reflux for three hours then allowed to cool to ambient temperature. The reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure to leave a viscous oil residue. The residue was suspended in 50 mL of ethyl acetate and extracted with 10 mL of 3.0 molar aqueous hydrochloric acid. The aqueous extract was made basic by the addition of 3.0 molar aqueous sodium hydroxide. The basic mixture was extracted with two 30 mL portions of ethyl acetate. The extracts were combined, dried with sodium sulfate, filtered and the filtrate concentrated under reduced pressure to yield 0.45 gram of the title compound as a solid. The NMR spectrum was consistent with the proposed structure.

The following table sets forth some additional examples of compounds of formula I useful in the present invention:

TABLE 1 Insecticidal Substituted Benzylamino Heterocyclic Derivatives I

Formula I where R⁴ is formula (A): IA

Cmpd No R R¹ R² R³ A1 

H H H A2 

H H H A3 

H H H A4 

H H H A5 

H H H A6 

H H H A7 

H H H A8 

H H H A9 

H H H A10

H H H A11

H H H A12

H H H A13

H H H A14

H H H A15

H H H A16

H H H A17

H H H A18

H H H A19

H H H A20

H H H A21

H H H A22

H H H A23

H H H A24

H H H A25

H H H A26

H H H A27

H H H A28

H H H A29

H H H A30

H H H A31

H H H A32

H H —COCH₃ A33

H H —SO₂N(CH₃)₂ A34

H H —PO(OC₂H₅)₂ A35

H H —PS(OC₂H₅)₂ A36

H H —CO₂CH₃ A37

H H —CHO A38

H H —CONHCH₃ A39

H H —CSNHCH₃ A40

H H —CH═NC₂H₅ A41

H H —CH═NOC₂H₅ A42

H H —COCH₃ A43

H H —SO₂N(CH₃)₂ A44

H H —PO(OC₂H₅)₂ A45

H H —PS(OC₂H₅)₂ A46

H H —CO₂CH₃ A47

H H —CHO A48

H H —CONHCH₃ A49

H H —CSNHCH₃ A50

H H —CH═NC₂H₅ A51

H H —CH═NOC₂H₅ A52

—CH₃ H H A53

—CH₃ —CH₃ H A54

H H H A55

H H H A56

H H —CH₃ A57

H H —CH₃  A58*

—CH₃ H H  A59**

—CH₃ H —CH₃  A60*

—CH₃ H —CH₃  A61**

—CH₃ H H A62

—CH₃ H H A63

—C₂H₅ H H A64

H H A65

H H H A66

H H A67

H H H A68

H H H A69

—CH₃ H H A70

H H H A71

H H H A72

—CH₃ H H A73

—CH₃ H H A74

H H H A75

H H H A76

H H H A77

—CH₃ H H *((1S)-1-phenylethyl) isomer **((1R)-1-phenylethyl) isomer Formula I where R² is hydrogen and R⁴ is formula (B): IB

Cmpd No R R¹ R⁵ B1

H —PS(OC₂H₅)₂ B2

H —COCH₃ B3

H —SO₂CH₃ B4

H —PS(OCH₃)₂ B5

H —CH₂OCOC(CH₃)₃ BB6

H —CON(CH₃)₂ B7

H —COC₂H₅ B8

H —SO₂N(CH₃)₂ B9

H —CONH(CH₃) B10

H —PO(OC₂H₅)₂ B11

H —CO₂C₂H₅ B12

H —CO₂CH₃ B13

H —PO(OCH₃)₂ B14

H —PO(N(CH₃)₂)₂ B15

H —PS(OC₂H₅)₂ B16

H —CH₂OC₂H₅ B17

H —CHO B18

H —CSNHCH₃ B19

H —CH═NC₂H₅ B20

H —CH═NOC₂H₅ B21

H —COCH₃ B22

H —SO₂N(CH₃)₂ B23

H —PO(OC₂H₅)₂ B24

H —PS(OC₂H₅)₂ B25

H —CO₂CH₃ B26

H —CHO B27

H —CONHCH₃ B28

H —CSNHCH₃ B29

H —CH═NC₂H₅ B30

H —CH═NOC₂H₅ B31

H —CN B32

H

B33

H —PS(OC₂H₅)₂ B34

H —PO[N(CH₃)₂]₂ B35

H —PS(OCH₃)₂ B36

H —CN B37

H —CSNHCH₃ B38

H —COCH₃ B39

H —COC₂H₅ B40

—C(CH₃)₃ —CSNHCH₃ B41

—CH(CH₃)₂ —CSNHCH₃ B42

—CH₃ —CSNHCH₃ B43

—CH₃ —CSNHCH₃ B44

—CH₃ —CSNHCH₃ B45

H —CSNHCH₃  B46*

—CH₃ —CSNHCH₃ B47

H —CSNHCH₃ B48

—CF₃ —CSNHCH₃  B49*

—CH₃ —CSNHC₂H₅ *(2-((2R)-1-aza-2-phenylpropylidine)(1,3-oxazolidin-3-yl) isomer Formula I where R² is hydrogen and R⁴ is formula (C): IC

Cmpd No R R¹ R³ C1 

H —CH₃ C2 

H H C3  Hydroiodide salt

H H C4  Hydrochloride salt

H H C5  Hydrochloride salt

H H C6  Hydrochloride salt

H H C7  Hydrochloride salt

H H C8

H H C9 

H H C10 Hydrochloride salt

H H C11 Hydrochloride salt

H H C12 Hydrochloride salt

H H C13 Hydrochloride salt

H H C14

H H C15 Hydrochloride salt

H H C16 Hydrochloride salt

H H C17 Hydrochloride salt

H H C18 Hydrochloride salt

H H C19 Hydrochloride salt

H H C20 Hydrochloride salt

H H C21 Hydrochloride salt

H H C22 Hydrochloride salt

H H C23 Hydrochloride salt

H H C24 Hydrochloride salt

H H C25

H H C26

H H C27

H H C28

H H C29

H —COCH₃ C30

H —SO₂N(CH₃)₂ C31

H —PO(OC₂H₅)₂ C32

H —PS(OC₂H₅)₂ C33

H —CO₂CH₃ C34

H —CHO C35

H —CONHCH₃ C36

H —CSNHCH₃ C37

H —CH═NC₂H₅ C38

H —CH═NOC₂H₅ C39

H —COCH₃ C40

H —SO₂N(CH₃)₂ C41

H —PO(OC₂H₅)₂ C42

H —PS(OC₂H₅)₂ C43

H —CO₂CH₃ C44

H —CHO C45

H —CONHCH₃ C46

H —CSNHCH₃ C47

H —CH═NC₂H₅ C48

H —CH═NOC₂H₅ C49

—CH₃ H C50

H H C51

H H C52

H —CH₃ C53

H —CO₂CH₃  C54*

—CH₃ H  C55**

—CH₃ —CH₃ C56

—CH₃ H C57

—C₂H₅ H C58

H C59

H H C60

H C61

H H C62

—CH₃ H C63

H H C64

H H C65

—CH(CH₃)₂ H C66

H H *((1S)-1-phenylethyl) isomer **((1R)-1-phenylethyl) isomer Formula I where R¹ and R² are hydrogen and R⁴ is formula (D): ID

Cmpd No R R⁵ D1 

—COCH₃ D2 

—SO₂N(CH₃)₂ D3 

—PO(OC₂H₅)₂ D4 

—PS(OC₂H₅)₂ D5 

—CO₂CH₃ D6 

—CHO D7 

—CONHCH₃ D8 

—CSNHCH₃ D9 

—CH═NC₂H₅ D10

—CH═NOC₂H₅ D11

—COCH₃ D12

—SO₂N(CH₃)₂ D13

—PO(OC₂H₅)₂ D14

—PS(OC₂H₅)₂ D15

—CO₂CH₃ D16

—CHO D17

—CONHCH₃ D18

—CSNHCH₃ D19

—CH═NC₂H₅ D20

—CH═NOC₂H₅ D21

—PS(OCH₃)₂

The following table sets forth physical characterizing data for certain compounds of formula I of the present invention:

TABLE 2 Insecticidal Benzylamino Heterocyclic Derivatives Compound Characterization Melting Point (° C.) of Solids Molecular Formula Or Physical State A1 C₁₀H₁₀Cl₂N₂O 113-115 A2 C₁₀H₁₁ClN₂O OIL A3 C₁₀H₁₁ClN₂O OIL A4 C₁₀H₁₁ClN₂O 86-88 A5 C₁₀H₁₀Cl₂N₂O OIL A6 C₁₀H₁₀Cl₂N₂O 121-124 A7 C₁₀H₁₀Cl₂N₂O OIL A8 C₁₀H₁₀Cl₂N₂O 102-105 A9 C₁₁H₁₁F₃N₂O 78-79 A10 C₁₁H₁₁F₃N₂O OIL A11 C₁₁H₁₁F₃N₂O 114-115 A12 C₁₁H₁₄N₂O₂ OIL A13 C₁₂H₁₆N₂O₃ OIL A14 C₁₂H₁₆N₂O₃ OIL A15 C₁₂H₁₆N₂O₃ SOLID A16 C₁₂H₁₆N₂O₃ SOLID A17 C₁₂H₁₆N₂O₃ 108-112 A18 C₁₁H₁₄N₂O₂  99-102 A19 C₁₁H₁₄N₂O₂ 75-78 A20 C₁₂H₁₆N₂O₃ OIL A21 C₁₁H₁₄N₂O OIL A22 C₁₂H₁₆N₂O OIL A23 C₁₂H₁₆N₂O OIL A24 C₁₁H₁₄N₂O OIL A25 C₁₂H₁₆N₂O 81-83 A26 C₁₂H₁₆N₂O 85-88 A27 C₁₂H₁₆N₂O OIL A28 C₁₀H₁₂N₂O OIL A29 C₁₁H₁₄N₂O OIL A30 C₁₁H₁₃ClN₂O 100-102 A52 C₁₁H₁₄N₂O 110-112 A53 C₁₂H₁₆N₂O 129-133 A54 C₁₁H₁₃ClN₂O 104-108 A55 C₁₁H₁₃ClN₂O  98-102 A56 C₁₁H₁₃ClN₂O OIL A57 C₁₁H₁₄N₂O OIL A58 C₁₁H₁₄N₂O SOLID A59 C₁₂H₁₆N₂O OIL A60 C₁₂H₁₆N₂O OIL A61 C₁₁H₁₄N₂O 81-83 A62 C₁₁H₁₂Cl₂N₂O 100-105 A63 C₁₂H₁₆N₂O 116-119 A64 C₁₆H₁₆N₂O 151-153 A65 C₁₀H₁₀ClFN₂O 42-45 A66 C₁₇H₁₈N₂O 129-131 A67 C₁₁H₁₃ClN₂O 130-131 A68 C₁₁H₁₃ClN₂O 63-65 A69 C₁₃H₁₈N₂O 149-151 A70 C₁₂H₁₆N₂O 48-50 A71 C₁₀H₁₁FN₂O OIL A72 C₁₁H₁₃FN₂O 132-135 A73 C₁₁H₁₃FN₂O 104-106 A74 C₁₆H₁₆N₂O 143-148 A75 C₁₄H₁₄N₂O  96-100 A76 C₁₀H₁₁FN₂O OIL A77 C₁₁H₁₁F₃N₂O 165-167 A78 C₁₁H₁₄N₂O₂ OIL A79 C₁₂H₁₃F₃N₂O 139-142 B1 C₁₆H₂₅N₂O₃PS OIL B2 C₁₄H₁₈N₂O₂ 125-126 B3 C₁₃H₁₈N₂O₃S 127-128 B4 C₁₄H₂₁N₂O₃PS OIL B5 C₁₈H₂₆N₂O₃ OIL B6 C₁₅H₂₁N₃O₂ OIL B7 C₁₅H₂₀N₂O₂ 85-86 B8 C₁₄H₂₁N₃O₃S OIL B9 C₁₄H₁₉N₃O₂ 135-136 B10 C₁₆H₂₅N₂O₄P OIL B11 C₁₅H₂₀N₂O₃ 109-110 B12 C₁₄H₁₈N₂O₃ 119-120 B13 C₁₄H₂₁N₂O₄P OIL B14 C₁₆H₂₇N₄O₂P OIL B15 C₁₅H₂₂N₂O₂ OIL B17 C₁₄H₁₉N₃OS 122-123 B31 C₁₃H₁₅N₃O 125-127 B32 C₂₀H₂₄N₂O₂ OIL B33 C₁₅H₂₂ClN₂O₃PS OIL B34 C₁₅H₂₄ClN₄O₂P OIL B35 C₁₃H₁₈ClN₂O₃PS 94-95 B36 C₁₂H₁₂ClN₃O 126-127 B37 C₁₃H₁₆ClN₃OS SOLID B38 C₁₃H₁₅ClN₂O₂ SOLID B39 C₁₄H₁₇ClN₂O₂ SOLID B40 C₁₆H₂₃N₃OS 127-128 B41 C₁₅H₂₁N₃OS 127-128 B42 C₁₃H₁₆FN₃OS OIL B43 C₁₃H₁₆FN₃OS OIL B44 C₁₃H₁₆FN₃OS OIL B45 C₁₈H₁₉N₃OS 123-128 B46 C₁₃H₁₇N₃OS 109-112 B47 C₁₆H₁₇N₃OS 136-140 B48 C₁₃H₁₄F₃N₃OS OIL B49 C₁₄H₁₉N₃OS OIL C1 C₁₁H₁₄N₂S OIL C2 C₁₀H₁₂N₂S 82 C3 C₁₀H₁₃N₂S•I SOLID C4 C₁₀H₁₁Cl₂N₂S•Cl 164-166 C5 C₁₀H₁₃N₂S•Cl 100-102 C6 C₁₀H₁₂ClN₂S•Cl 187-188 C7 C₁₀H₁₁Cl₂N₂S•Cl 218-220 C8 C₁₁H₁₄N₂S 94-96 C9 C₁₀H₁₀Cl₂N₂S 119-121 C10 C₁₁H₁₅N₂S•Cl 148-150 C11 C₁₂H₁₇N₂S•Cl 180-182 C12 C₁₂H₁₇N₂S•Cl 146-148 C13 C₁₂H₁₇N₂S•Cl 170-173 C14 C₁₂H₁₆N₂S 154-155 C15 C₁₀H₁₂ClN₂S•Cl 148-150 C16 C₁₀H₁₂ClN₂S•Cl 145-147 C17 C₁₀H₁₁Cl₂N₂S•Cl 163-165 C18 C₁₀H₁₁Cl₂N₂S•Cl 212-213 C19 C₁₀H₁₁Cl₂N₂S•Cl 202-204 C20 C₁₁H₁₂F₃N₂S•Cl 192-194 C21 C₁₁H₁₂F₃N₂S•Cl 147-148 C22 C₁₁H₁₂F₃N₂S•Cl 129-131 C23 C₁₁H₁₅N₂OS•Cl 118-120 C24 C₁₁H₁₅N₂OS•Cl 128-130 C25 C₁₂H₁₆N₂O₂S 82-85 C26 C₁₀H₁₁FN₂S SOLID C27 C₁₁H₁₃ClN₂S 124-125 C49 C₁₁H₁₄N₂S 110-113 C50 C₁₁H₁₃ClN₂S 118-120 C51 C₁₁H₁₃ClN₂S 134-135 C52 C₁₁H₁₃ClN₂S OIL C53 C₁₄H₁₈N₂O₂S LIQUID C54 C₁₁H₁₄N₂S 84-86 C55 C₁₂H₁₆N₂S OIL C56 C₁₁H₁₂Cl₂N₂S 114-116 C57 C₁₂H₁₆N₂S 105-106 C58 C₁₆H₁₆N₂S 124-126 C59 C₁₀H₁₀ClFN₂S 92-94 C60 C₁₇H₁₈N₂S 122-123 C61 C₁₁H₁₃ClN₂S 90-95 C62 C₁₃H₁₈N₂S 120-121 C63 C₁₀H₁₁FN₂S 106-109 C64 C₁₀H₁₁FN₂S SOLID C65 C₁₃H₁₈N₂S 110-114 C66 C₁₂H₁₆N₂S 110-114 D2 C₁₄H₂₁N₃O₂S₂ 81-84 D4 C₁₆H₂₅N₂O₂PS₂ LIQUID D5 C₁₄H₁₈N₂O₂S 129-131 D11 C₁₂H₁₂Cl₂N₂OS 137-140 D12 C₁₂H₁₅Cl₂N₃O₂S₂ 119-120 D14 C₁₄H₁₉Cl₂N₂O₂PS₂ LIQUID D15 C₁₂H₁₂Cl₂N₂O₂S 105-110 D21 C₁₂H₁₅Cl₂N₂O₂PS₂ LIQUID

Candidate insecticides were evaluated for insecticidal activity by observing mortality in a population of treated cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii) on cotton plant leaf discs when compared to like populations of untreated cotton aphid on cotton plant leaf discs. These tests were conducted in the following manner:

Three week to one month-old cotton plants (Gossypium hirsutium) were prepared for infesting by cutting off the cotyledons and new true leaf growth, leaving the oldest two true leaves. The prepared test plant was infested with cotton aphids by translocation from cotton plants grown in a cotton aphid colony. The wells of clear 128-well trays (CD-International, Pittman, N.J.) were filled with 1 mL of a warm, aqueous 3% agar solution and allowed to cool to ambient temperature. The aphid infested cotton leaves were removed from the plants and placed bottom side up on a cutting platform. Circular discs were cut from the infested leaves and placed bottom side up onto the cooled agar gel, one disc per well. Each leaf disc was visually inspected to assure that a minimum of 10 live aphids were present. A 50 mM stock solution of the test compound was prepared by dissolving the appropriate amount of the test compound in DMSO. A solution comprising 1000 part per million (ppm) of each test compound was prepared by dissolving 10 μl of the stock solution in 140 μl of an aqueous 0.003% Kinetic® (a nonionic wetter/spreader/penetrant adjuvant, Helena Chemical Company, Collierville, Tenn.) solution. If needed, the solution of 1000 ppm of test compound was serially diluted with a solution consisting of 66 mL of DMSO and 30 μl of Kinetic® in 934 mL of water (diluting solution) to provide solutions of each test compound for lower rates of application, for example, 300 ppm, 100 ppm, 30 ppm, or 10 ppm. Each replicate infested test plant disc was sprayed with 10 μl of the test solution at about 8 psi for 1 second. For comparison purposes, a solution of a standard, such as bifenthrin, prepared in a manner analogous to that set forth above, as well as an aqueous solution of 0.003% Kinetic® containing no test compound and the diluting solution containing no test compound were also sprayed onto infested test plant discs. Upon completion of spraying the solutions of test compound, the solution of standard, and the solutions containing no test compound, the plant discs were allowed to dry. Upon completion of drying, the test trays were covered with a plastic film. Three slits were made in the film over each well to allow air into each well. The test trays were placed in a biochamber (25° C., 16 hours light, 8 hours of dark and 35-40% relative humidity) for three days. After this time, each plant disc was assessed for percent mortality caused by the test compound when compared to the population of aphids that was infested onto the test plant discs containing no test compound. A test compound was designated as possessing insecticidal activity (SA) if there was 40% to 75% mortality of cotton aphid on plant discs sprayed with that compound. If there was 75% mortality or greater of the cotton aphid, a test compound was designated as being more insecticidally active (A). If there was 40% mortality or less of the cotton aphid, the test compound was termed as inactive (I).

An assessment of the insecticidal activity at selected rates of application from this test is provided in Table 3. The test compounds of formula I are identified by numbers that correspond to those in Table 1.

TABLE 3 The Following Compounds Of The Present Invention Reduced The Population Of Cotton Aphid By 40 to 100% When Applied At An Application Rate Of 1000 ppm Or Less To Infested Cotton Leaf Discs Cmpd. Cmpd. Cmpd. Cmpd. Cmpd. Cmpd. Cmpd. Cmpd. Cmpd. Cmpd. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7 A8 A10 A11 A12 A13 A14 A15 A16 A17 A18 A19 A20 A21 A22 A23 A24 A26 A27 A53 A54 A79 B3 B8 B11 B12 B13 B15 B40 B41 C1 C3 C4 C7 C8 C9 C12 C13 C14 C16 C17 C19 C20 C21 C22 C23 C24 C25 C27 C50 C52 C53 C65 C66 D2 D4 D5 D12 D14 D15

Candidate insecticides were evaluated for insecticidal activity by observing mortality in a population of cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii) on treated cotton plants when compared to like populations of cotton aphid on untreated plants. These tests were conducted in the following manner:

For each rate of application of test compound, two seven-to-ten days old cotton seedlings (Gossypium hirsutium) grown in 7.6 cm diameter pots were selected for the test. Each test plant was infested with about 120 adult cotton aphids by placing onto each test plant cuttings of leaves from cotton plants grown in a cotton aphid colony. Once infested, the test plants were maintained for up to about 12 hours to allow complete translocation of the aphids onto the test plant. A solution comprising 1000 part per million (ppm) of each test compound was prepared by dissolving 10 milligrams of the test compound in 1 mL of acetone. Each solution was then diluted with 9 mL of a solution of 0.03 mL of polyoxyethylene(10) isooctylphenyl ether in 100 mL of water. About 2.5 mL of solution of each test compound was needed to spray each replicate of test plant (5 mL total for each test compound). If needed, the solution of 1000 ppm of test compound was serially diluted with a solution of 10% acetone and 300 ppm of polyoxyethylene(10) isooctylphenyl ether in water to provide solutions of each test compound for lower rates of application, for example, 300 ppm, 100 ppm, 30 ppm, or 10 ppm. Each replicate of test plant was sprayed with the solutions of test compound until run-off on both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaves. All the test plants were sprayed using a DeVilbus Atomizer Model 152 (Sunrise Medical, Carlsbad, Calif.) at a pressure of about 0.63-0.74 kilogram per square centimeter from a distance of about 30.5 centimeters from the test plants. For comparison purposes, a solution of 10% acetone and 300 ppm of polyoxyethylene(10) isooctylphenyl ether in water containing no test compound was also sprayed onto control test plants. Upon completion of spraying the solutions of test compound and the solution containing no test compound, the plants were allowed to dry. Upon completion of drying, the test and control plants were placed in a tray containing about 2.5 centimeters of water, where they were maintained in a growth chamber for 72 hours. After this time, each plant was assessed for percent mortality caused by the test compound when compared to the population of aphids that was infested onto the test plants prior to treatment with test compound. A test compound was designated as possessing insecticidal activity (SA) if there was 40% to 75% mortality of cotton aphid on plants sprayed with that compound. If there was 75% mortality or greater of the cotton aphid, a test compound was designated as being more insecticidally active (A). If there was 40% mortality or less of the cotton aphid, the test compound was termed as inactive (I).

An assessment of the insecticidal activity at selected rates of application from this test is provided in Table 3A. The test compounds of formula I are identified by numbers that correspond to those in Table 1.

TABLE 3A The Following Compounds Of The Present Invention Reduced The Population Of Cotton Aphid (Aphis gossypii) Between 40% and 100% When Applied At An Application Rate Of 1000 ppm Or Less On Infested Cotton Plants Cmpd. Cmpd. Cmpd. Cmpd. Cmpd. Cmpd. Cmpd. Cmpd. Cmpd. Cmpd. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. A1 A9 A25 A28 A29 A30 A52 A55 A56 A57 A58 A59 A60 A61 A62 A63 A64 A65 A66 A67 A68 A69 A70 A71 A72 A73 A74 A75 A76 A77 A78 B1 B2 B4 B5 B6 B7 B9 B10 B14 B17 B31 B32 B33 B34 B35 B36 B37 B38 B39 B42 B43 B44 B45 B46 B47 B48 B49 C2 C5 C6 C10 C11 C15 C18 C26 C49 C51 C54 C55 C56 C57 C58 C59 C60 C61 C62 C63 C64 D11 D21

As set forth in Tables 3 and 3A, the tested compounds of the present invention reduced the aphid population by at least 40% at an application rate of 1000 ppm or less.

While this invention has been described with an emphasis upon preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that variations of the preferred embodiments may be used and that it is intended that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. 

1. An insecticidal composition comprising at least one compound of formula IA

where R is 2,3-dichlorophenyl or 2,3-dimethylphenyl; R¹ is hydrogen or methyl; and R² and R³ are hydrogen.
 2. An insecticidal composition as claimed in claim 1 further comprising one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of pesticides, plant growth regulators, fertilizers and soil conditioners.
 3. A method of controlling insects, comprising applying a composition of claim 1 to a locus where insects are present or are expected to be present.
 4. An insecticidal composition comprising a compound of formula IG:

wherein R is selected from 1-naphthyl, phenyl or phenyl optionally substituted with one or two substituents selected from halogen, (C₁-C₂) alkyl, (C₁-C₂) alkoxy, (C₁-C₂) haloalkyl and phenyl; R¹ is selected from hydrogen, (C₁-C₂) alkyl, (C₁-C₂) hydroxyalkyl and (C₁-C₂) haloalkyl; R² is selected from hydrogen and (C₁-C₂) alkyl; and R³ is selected from hydrogen, (C₁-C₂) alkyl,

where X is oxygen or sulfur; R⁷ and R⁸ are (C₁-C₂) alkoxy; R¹³ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl; R¹⁴ is hydrogen; a is 2; R¹⁵ is (C₁-C₂) dialkylamino; R¹⁶ is hydrogen, (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) alkoxy; and R¹⁹ is (C₁-C₂) alkyl or (C₁-C₂) alkoxy; and agriculturally acceptable salts thereof; provided that when R¹ is methyl and R² and R³ are hydrogen, then R is other than phenyl or phenyl substituted with (C₁-C₂) alkyl; when R is 1-naphthyl and R³ is hydrogen, then R¹ and R² are other than (C₁-C₂) alkyl; and when R¹, R² and R³ are hydrogen, then R is other phenyl substituted with one substituent selected from halogen, (C₁-C₂) alkyl and (C₁-C₂) haloalkyl or with two substituents selected from halogen.
 5. The insecticidal composition according to claim 4, further comprising one or more additional compounds selected from the group consisting of pesticides, plant growth regulators, fertilizers and soil conditioners. 